Laura Sebastian writes young adult fantasy with a flair for court politics, danger, magic, and determined heroines. Her debut novel Ash Princess launched a gripping trilogy packed with tension, rebellion, and emotional stakes.
If you love Laura Sebastian’s books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Marie Lu is a great choice for readers who enjoy Laura Sebastian’s mix of high stakes, fast pacing, and layered characters. A strong place to begin is Legend, the opening novel in Lu’s dystopian trilogy.
Set in a fractured future America, the story follows June, a brilliant military prodigy from the elite class, as she hunts Day, the republic’s most wanted fugitive.
But Day is far more complicated than the state claims, and June’s search gradually exposes unsettling truths about the world she serves. The result is a tense, propulsive story of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice.
Leigh Bardugo is known for fantasy rich in atmosphere, political tension, and memorable characters. If you liked the blend of power struggles and magic in Laura Sebastian’s Ash Princess series, Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone is a natural next pick.
The novel centers on Alina Starkov, an orphaned soldier who discovers a rare and extraordinary power. That revelation pulls her from an ordinary life into the dangerous orbit of a magical elite.
Set in Ravka, a kingdom split by darkness and haunted by monsters, the story combines adventure, intrigue, and romance with a vividly imagined setting.
Bardugo’s worldbuilding is immersive, and her twists and emotional stakes make the novel especially appealing to fans of thoughtful YA fantasy.
Victoria Aveyard will likely appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy built around class conflict, royal intrigue, and resilient heroines. Her work shares some of the same tension and urgency that make Laura Sebastian’s novels so compelling.
In Red Queen, Mare Barrow lives in a world divided by blood: powerful Silvers rule with supernatural abilities, while Reds live in poverty and fear.
When Mare discovers that she has powers despite being Red, she is thrust into the heart of the royal court and into a dangerous struggle shaped by rebellion, deception, and ambition.
The novel blends action, romance, and sharp moral conflict, making it an engaging read for anyone drawn to fantasy with both spectacle and substance.
Sabaa Tahir writes sweeping fantasy with emotional intensity and unforgettable character arcs. If Laura Sebastian’s books kept you hooked, you may want to pick up An Ember in the Ashes.
The story follows Laia, a girl from an oppressed people, and Elias, a gifted soldier trained by the brutal Martial Empire. As their paths converge, both are forced to make impossible choices that could alter the fate of the empire.
Tahir balances action with heartbreak, weaving together rebellion, fear, and hope in a story that feels urgent from start to finish.
Sarah J. Maas is a strong recommendation for readers who enjoy Laura Sebastian’s blend of magic, political maneuvering, and formidable heroines. Her novels are known for immersive worlds, dramatic twists, and emotionally charged relationships.
In Throne of Glass we meet Celaena Sardothien, a notorious assassin pulled from prison to compete for the role of the king’s champion.
As she faces deadly trials and navigates court intrigue, Celaena uncovers buried secrets and is forced to confront the truth about her own past.
It’s an energetic, addictive fantasy that offers danger, mystery, and a heroine readers can root for.
If you’re drawn to Laura Sebastian’s fierce heroines and emotionally intense storytelling, Tahereh Mafi may be an excellent fit. In Shatter Me, Mafi introduces Juliette, a girl whose touch is lethal.
Feared and isolated, Juliette has spent years cut off from the world. When an oppressive regime decides to use her as a weapon, she must choose whether to remain broken by fear or fight for her freedom.
Mafi’s writing has a lyrical, highly emotional quality, and Juliette’s journey through loneliness, love, and resistance leaves a lasting impression.
Holly Black is known for dark, glittering fantasy full of dangerous bargains, treacherous courts, and morally complicated characters. If you enjoy Laura Sebastian’s political tension and character-driven plots, Black’s work is an easy recommendation.
A standout starting point is The Cruel Prince, which follows Jude, a mortal girl trying to survive and gain power in the ruthless High Court of Faerie.
As Jude becomes entangled in shifting alliances and court schemes, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to secure her place. The story is sharp, tense, and wonderfully full of betrayal.
Renee Ahdieh writes lush, atmospheric fantasy featuring determined heroines and richly layered relationships. Her novel, The Wrath and the Dawn, follows Shahrzad, who volunteers to marry a king known for executing each new bride at dawn.
Driven by a desire for revenge after her best friend’s death, Shahrzad enters the palace determined to survive. With wit, courage, and storytelling skill, she begins to uncover the truth behind Khalid’s cruelty and the curse surrounding him.
For readers who enjoy romance, mystery, and defiance woven into a vivid fantasy setting, Ahdieh is a rewarding choice.
Margaret Rogerson is a wonderful pick for readers who like magical settings, strong character dynamics, and stories with a classic fantasy feel. Fans of Laura Sebastian may especially enjoy the combination of danger and wonder in her work.
Her novel Sorcery of Thorns follows Elisabeth, an apprentice in a great library where enchanted grimoires can whisper, bite, and transform into monsters.
Raised to distrust sorcerers, Elisabeth is thrown into turmoil when she is accused of a crime she did not commit. Her only ally is Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer with secrets of his own, along with his unsettling demonic servant.
What follows is a lively, imaginative adventure packed with conspiracy, magic, and excellent character chemistry.
Adrienne Young writes immersive fantasy that often explores survival, loyalty, and identity. Readers who admire Laura Sebastian’s vivid storytelling and strong female leads may find a lot to love in her novels.
In Sky in the Deep, Eelyn is a warrior raised to fight the rival Riki clan. Her understanding of the world is shattered when she sees her brother alive on the battlefield, fighting for the enemy.
Forced into unfamiliar territory, Eelyn must reconsider everything she thought she knew about family, hatred, and honor. The result is a fierce, atmospheric story that blends action with emotional depth.
Katharine McGee is a great option for readers who enjoy royal drama, high-stakes relationships, and fast-moving, character-focused storytelling. If the courtly side of Laura Sebastian’s fiction appeals to you, American Royals may be especially fun.
This novel imagines an alternate modern America where George Washington became king, leaving the nation ruled by a royal family in the present day.
At the center is Princess Beatrice, who faces intense pressure, impossible expectations, and romantic complications as she prepares for her future role. Glamour, secrets, and shifting loyalties keep the pages turning.
It’s a fresh and entertaining premise that blends romance and power in a way many YA fantasy readers will enjoy.
Cassandra Clare writes fantasy packed with adventure, romance, and expansive supernatural lore. Her novel City of Bones follows Clary Fray, a teenage girl who unexpectedly discovers the hidden world of Shadowhunters.
As Clary learns more about demons, magic, and the truth about her own past, she is pulled into an increasingly dangerous conflict.
With its urban setting, strong pacing, and plenty of mystery, the book offers a different kind of fantasy than Laura Sebastian’s work, while still delivering the same sense of excitement and emotional pull.
Anna Bright writes immersive fantasy with romance, intrigue, and meaningful character growth at its center. Her novel The Beholder follows Selah, a sheltered princess sent abroad to pursue a politically advantageous marriage after her own proposal ends in disaster.
As Selah travels and meets a succession of possible suitors, she begins to question what duty, love, and independence truly mean for her future.
Bright gives the story an emotional, reflective tone, making it a good match for readers who enjoy courtly settings and personal transformation.
Tricia Levenseller is a strong pick for anyone who enjoys adventurous fantasy with a bold, capable heroine. If Laura Sebastian’s resilient protagonists are your favorite part of her books, Levenseller is worth exploring.
In Daughter of the Pirate King we meet Alosa, a clever pirate captain who deliberately gets herself captured in order to search for a hidden treasure map.
Alosa is resourceful, sharp-tongued, and always several steps ahead, which gives the novel a lively energy. Between the dangerous voyage, shifting allegiances, and simmering romance, the story never loses momentum.
It’s a fun, fast-paced fantasy with plenty of swagger and charm.
Susan Dennard writes fantasy full of momentum, magical systems, and strong character bonds. If you enjoy Laura Sebastian’s mix of adventure and high stakes, her novels are well worth a look.
In Truthwitch readers meet Safiya, who can detect truth from lies, and her close friend Iseult, a Threadwitch who can see emotional ties between people.
When the two are drawn into political conflict and hunted by dangerous enemies, they must fight for survival in a world full of magic, ambition, and war.
Dennard combines fast-paced action with friendship and intrigue, creating a fantasy that feels expansive and exciting.
